Smiling doll



Aug. 17, 1954 sE|DL 2,686,388

SMILING DOLL Filed May 4, 1951 2 Sheets-Sheet l Rudolph said! By an aw 13m IN VEN TOR.

R. SEIDL SMILING DOLL Aug. 17, 1954 2 SheetsSheet 2 Filed May 4, 1951 Rudolph Seid/ INVENTOR.

- 9 BY Wm Patented Aug. 17, 1954 UNITED STATES TENT OFFICE 4 Claims.

The present invention relates to improvements in dolls and more particularly to a doll which is provided with means whereby the facial expres sion of the doll can be altered to simulate a smile.

An object of the present invention is to provide a conventional doll with means whereby the facial appearance of the doll can be altered.

A further object of the present invention resides in the provision of means whereby the face of the doll can be made to effect a smile upon manipulation of one of the arms of the doll.

A still further object of the present invention resides in the provision of means whereby the doll can be made to smile or close its eyes and wherein still other means is provided for effecting a shaking movement of one of the arms of the doll upon manipulation of one of the legs of the doll.

A further object of the present invention resides in the provision of a common means for effecting manipulation of the means for eifecting the smile and of the means for effecting closing of the eyes of the doll.

Various other objects and advantages will become apparent from the detailed description to follow. The best form in which I have contemplated applying my invention is clearly illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Figure 1 is a front elevational view of the portion of the doll showing the normal facial expression thereof;

Figure 2 is a view similar to Figure 1 but wherein the doll has been made to assume a smiling appearance;

Figure 3 is a side elevational view of the doll with parts in section and showing the interior operating mechanism for the smiling doll;

Figure 4 is a rear elevational view of the doll with parts broken away and parts in section;

Figure 5 is a vertical sectional View through the upper portion of the doll; and

Figure 6 is a detailed perspective view of the means for eiiecting opening and closing of the eyes of the doll.

Referring more particularly to the drawings, wherein like numerals designate like parts throughout, the numeral i0 designates generally the smiling doll of the present invention which is constituted of a body 12, head I4, arms l6 and i8 and legs 29 and 22. The numeral 24 designates generally the means for effecting a smile on the doll while the numeral 26 designates generally the means for opening and closing the eyes of the doll.

The present invention contemplates the use of a substantially conventional doll having a body and head integrally connected together with arms and legs engaged in openings in the body [2 such as at 28 and 30. The inner ends of the arms and. upper ends of the legs are each provided with a hook 32 through which a tape 34 is engaged for holding the arms and legs to the body l2. The arm I8 is provided with a second hook 32 through which the tape 34 is engaged, the hook 32' being radially displaced relative to the hook 32 on the arm I8, as best seen in Figures 3 and 4. The arm l8 and leg 22 have pins 36 and 38 extending therefrom and terminating in eyelets. The cable 40 interconnects the eyelets of the pins 36 and 38 whereby rotation of the arm or leg effects rotation of the opposing member.

Looking now at Figures 4 and 5, the means 24 for effecting smiling of the doll will be seen to comprise a pair of pads 42 and 44 which are secured to the inner surfaces of the head l4 behind the cheek portions of the doll, as at 46 and 48 (see Figures 1 and 2). A third pad 50 is secured to the inner surface of the head immediately below the mouth 52 of the doll.

Substantially the entire head and neck of the doll is covered with a rubber-like covering or skin 54 having openings 56 and 58 for the eyes and 60 for the mouth. The shell I4 of the head is provided with openings at the cheek portions immediately above the chin portion 62 so that the pads 42, 44 and 50' can be integrally formed with the rubber-like covering 54. Suitable simulated teeth 64 can be fixedly secured to the shell [4 at the mouth 52.

A first rod 66 is disposed transversely of the head l4 and has its ends supported thereby. A pair of pulleys 68 and i0, lying in a vertical transverse plane are secured to the underside of the rod 56 in alignment with each other. A second pair of pulleys T2 and [4 lie in a horizontal transverse plane and are also supported by the underside of the rod 66.

A second rod 16 is disposed transversely of the neck portion of the doll substantially parallel to the rod 66 and has its ends secured thereto. A single pulley 18 is disposed transversely of the second rod 16 and is supported thereby on its upper surface.

Figures 4 and 5 show the provision of a cylindrical member which has one end secured to the plate 82 by means of the screws 84. The plate 82 is fixed for rotation with the arm [6 by means of the connecting pin 85. The other end of the cylindrical member 86 has a bearing bore 83 provided therein and in axial alignment with the connecting pin 86. The bearing pin 90 is secured to the arm I8 and received in the bearing bore 88 whereby the arm I8 can relatively pivot with respect to the cylindrical member 80.

A pair of cables 92 and 94 have one set of ends secured to the pair of pads 42 and 44 while the other set of ends are looped at 96 and 98 for engagement over the buttons I and I62 which are in turn fixedly secured to the cylindrical member 80. Another cable I04 has one end secured to the third pad 50 while its other end is looped at I06 and engaged over the button I08. Intermediate portions of the cables 92, 94 and I04 are engaged over the pulleys I2 and 68, I0 and I4, and I8, respectively.

A means 26 for effecting opening and closing movement of the eyes of the doll is best disclosed in Figure 6 as including a supporting bracket I I0 which has a fiat end II2 adapted to be secured to the inner surface of the forehead of the dolls head I4, as at I5. The bracket III] has an arm portion II4 which extends from the flat portion H2 and terminates in a horizontal plane common with the eyes of the doll. A T-shaped, wire element H6 is journaled in the bearing portion N8 of the arm H4 and has a pair of simulated eyes I and I22 carried by the outer ends of the horizontal wire of the T. The lower end of the vertical wire of the T IIS has a ball I24 secured thereto and provided with an eyelet I26.

Adjacent the upper end of the head I4 of the doll, a pulley I28 is secured. A cable I38 has one end secured to the eyelet I26, an intermediate portion of the cable I30 extending over the pulley I28, and the other end portion of the cable I38 being secured to the cylindrical member 86 at I32. It is to be noted that the cable I30 extends around the cylindrical member 80 in a direction opposite to that of the cables 92, 94 and IE4.

Looking once again at Figure 5, it will be seen that the head I4 is provided with a removable portion I34 whereby access can be had to the interior of the doll for adjusting, repairing or replacing the mechanism within the doll.

In view of the foregoing, it is believed that a smiling doll has been provided which will accomplish all of the objects hereinabove set forth. Furthermore, in view of the foregoing description of the structure, the operation thereof should be obvious to one skilled in the art.

When it is desired to alter the facial expression of the doll so that the doll appears to be smiling, the arm I6 is pivoted forwardly, whereby the cables 92, 94 and H34 will be wound on the cylindrical member 80. The pads 42 and 44 will be moved upwardly and rearwardly relative to the mouth 52 of the doll. At the same time, the pad will be moved downwardly exposing the simulated teeth 64 of the doll. The result is that the doll will appear to be smiling.

Should it be desired to have the doll wink, the arm I 8 is moved rearwardly, thereby winding the cable I30 on the cylindrical member 80. The T-wire element I It will be pivoted with respect to the bracket I III thereby causing the simulated eye and eyelid elements I20 and I22 to move downwardly so that the eyes of the doll will appear to be closed.

The doll can be made to wink simply by giving a quick pivoting movement to the arm I6 rearwardly and then back to the original vertical position of the arm.

Inasmuch as the smiling and winking operations of the doll are effected by the common operating means 24, it will readily be seen that the doll can be made to alternately smile and wink by manipulation of the arm I6.

Furthermore, if it is desired to have the doll appear to be shaking hands, the leg 22 is pivoted rearwardly, thereby pulling on cable 40 and effecting pivoting of the arm It in a hand shaking manner.

Various mechanical modifications and substitutions can be made without departing from the real spirit and purpose of the present invention.

Having described the invention, what is claimed as new is:

1. In a doll having a head, body, arms and legs, means for altering the facial expression of the doll comprising a pair of pads secured to the inner surface of the head of the doll at the cheeks thereof, a third pad secured to the inner surface of the doll below and in juxtaposition to the mouth of the doll, cables connected to said pads, a common actuating member, said cables being connected to said common actuating member and actuatable to effect movement of said pads whereby the facial expression of the doll will appear to be of a smiling character, said common member including a cylindrical member interconnecting the inner ends of said arms for rotation with at least one of said arms, and said cables each having one of its ends secured to said cylindrical member for winding thereon, a rod fixedly carried within the head of said doll above said pair of pads and substantially in parallel relation to said cylindrical member, pulleys supported on said rod, and intermediate portions of the cables connected to said pair of pads being disposed over said pulleys whereby rotation of said member can effect rearward and upward movement of the cheek portions of the dolls head.

2. In a doll having a head, body, arms and legs, with a rubber-like covering providing a life-like face having a mouth opening between an upper and a lower lip, means operative to alter the facial expression of the doll comprising a pair of pads secured to the inner surface of the face of the doll at the cheeks thereof, a third pad secured to the inner surface of the face of the doll below and in juxtaposition to the mouth of the doll, cables connected to said pads, a common actuating member, said cables being connected to said common actuating member and actuatable to effect movement of said pads whereby the facial expression of the doll will be altered, said common member including a cylindrical member interconnecting the inner ends of said arms for rotation with at least one of said arms, and said cables each having one of its ends secured to said cylindrical member for winding thereon, a rod fixedly carried within the head of said doll above said pair of pads and substantially in parallel relation to said cylindrical member, pulleys supported on said rod, and intermediate portions of the cables connected to said pair of pads being disposed over said pulleys whereby rotation of said member can effect rearward and upward movement of the cheek portions of the dolls head, a second rod carried within the neck of the doll, a pulley carried by said second rod and disposed below the mouth opening, the cable connected to said third pad having an intermediate portion engaged over said last recited pulley whereby rotation of said cylindrical member can effect downward movement of the lower lip of the dolls face, whereby rotation of said cylindrical member in one direction causes upward and rearward movement of the cheeks and downward movement of the lower lip to simulate a smile.

3. In a doll having a head, a body, arms and legs, a rubber-like covering for said head providing a life-like face having openings for the eyes and mouth of the doll, simulated teeth disposed within the mouth of the doll and simulated eyes coacting with the eye openings, means for altering the facial expression of the doll comprising a pair of pads secured to the inner surface of the face of the doll at the cheeks thereof, a third pad secured to the inner surface of the face of the doll below and in juxtaposition to the mouth of the doll, cables connected to said pads, a common cylindrical actuating member, said cables being connected to said member and actuatable to effect movement of said pads whereby the facial expression of the doll will appear to be of a smiling character, a rod fixedly carried within the head of said doll above said pair of pads and substantially in parallel relation to said cylindrical member, pulleys supported on said rod, and intermediate portions of the cables connected to said pair of pads being disposed over said pulleys whereby rotation of said member can efiect rearward and upward movement of the cheek portions of the dolls head.

4. In a doll having a substantially rigid body and head portion, means for altering the facial expression of the doll comprising a simulated skin on the face of said doll, said skin providing a life-like face having a mouth opening, a pair of pads secured to the inner surface of said skin at the cheeks thereof, a third pad secured to the inner surface of the skin in juxtaposition to the mouth of the doll, cables attached to said pads, said body having arm receiving sockets therein, arm members mounted in said sockets, a cylindrical member mounted on the arm mem bers, one of said arms being connected in driving engagement for rotating said cylindrical member in response to movement of said arm, said cables being attached to said cylindrical member, a transverse rod secured in the head, pulley members mounted on said rod, the cables from said cheek pads being entrained over said pulleys, a second rod secured in the neck of said doll, an upstanding pulley mounted on said second rod, the cable from said third pad being entrained over said upstanding pulley.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date Re. 19,657 Bowers July 30, 1935 839,770 Kalkbrenner Dec. 25, 1906 1,164,816 Huston Dec. 21, 1915 1,359,778 Zimmerman Nov. 23, 1920 1,489,385 Ciavatti Apr. 8, 1924 1,606,716 Munyard Nov. 9, 1926 1,693,157 Rauffus Nov. 27, 1928 1,978,337 Bowers Oct. 23, 1934 2,548,237 Pearson Apr. 10, 1951 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 556,163 Great Britain Sept. 22, 1943 

